Permanently preserving our natural resources since 1992

FAQ

What is a Land Trust?

As defined by the Land Trust Alliance (www.landtrustalliance.org), “A land trust is a nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements.

Land trusts work with landowners and the community to conserve land by accepting donations of land, purchasing land, negotiating private, voluntary conservation agreements on land, and stewarding conserved land through the generations to come.

Most land trusts are community based and deeply connected to local needs, so they are well-equipped to identify land that offers critical natural habitat as well as land offering recreational, agricultural and other conservation value.”

Is the Land Trust private or municipal?

We are a private land trust. Unlike some Land Trusts in the state, we do not currently receive funds from real estate transactions. However, the town in the past has generously contributed to paying half of our liability insurance on our properties.

What types of land does the Land Trust try to preserve?

We are interested in preserving the full diversity of land that makes living in North Smithfield so special. This includes unique habitats or biologically rich areas, lands that help protect our drinking water supply, working farmland, land of cultural or historical significance, or land that will make a good community park for passive recreation like hiking, jogging, etc..

Where does the Land Trust get its holdings?

The North Smithfield Land Trust accepts gifts, usually of land or development rights, from individuals who wish to see their lands preserved. In granting development rights to the Trust, property owners may retain possession of the land while ensuring that their conservation goals are being met in perpetuity.

How does the Land Trust prioritize lands for conservation?

We’re currently working on this issue! We have developed a land conservation score card, which scores land for such attributes as: important water resources, forest resources, unique habitats, diverse habitats, endangered species, agricultural soils, adjacency to existing conservation land, whether or not the land is part of the town or state’s conservation plan, whether the land helps in flood control, historical/cultural significance, and whether the land is a working farm.

Can I come to a Land Trust meeting?

Yes! All meetings are open to the public. We generally meet on the third Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 pm, at the Red Schoolhouse on School Street

How do I volunteer?

You can help the Land Trust in a variety of ways! We can use help making trails, monitoring our properties, helping with community outreach, grant-writing, and fundraising. If interested, please contact one of the Board Members or use the Contact Us page.

Yes, We Have Deer Ticks (Lyme's Disease)

If you are going out in the woods (actually in the brush - where the ticks hang out [literally]) then, you should protect yourself with Permethrin treated clothing. One of the best resources for Deer Tick info and Lyme's Disease is our own Rhode Island web site maintained by the University of Rhode Island - http://tickencounter.org/